Tahiti instantly conjures up images of an exotic tropical paradise. For us, it was a cruise port that I could hardly wait to reach as we crossed the Pacific. Sailing first from Los Angeles to Tahiti and then home to New Zealand, French Polynesia was to be one of the highlights of our three weeks …
Travel to the Pacific Islands of American Samoa, Rarotonga, Fiji, and Samoa
Visiting American Samoa: Home to a Tropical US National Park
American Samoa is a tropical paradise waiting to be discovered. Situated in the southern Pacific Ocean just east of the dateline, it’s a small unincorporated US territory that many people don’t even know exists. For me, it is the lush green hills, warm turquoise waters, and a blend of traditional Samoan culture with modern American …
Sheraton’s Cursed Derelict Buildings on Rarotonga
Not your typical tourist attraction, the ruins of the never completed $80 million Sheraton Resort are a series of derelict buildings on the tiny tropical island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. While there are plenty of beaches to visit, hiking, watersports and other things to do on the island, we found ourselves strangely drawn …
Capturing Rarotonga Snorkelling on the Olympus TG-5
Rarotonga snorkelling is like swimming in a crystal clear tepid aquarium. Large and small, the colourful tropical fish glide in and out of coral beds, and sometimes appear to pose for our compact underwater camera. Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands. It’s a tropical paradise surrounded by a reef that creates protected Rarotonga …
26 Things to Do in Rarotonga Aside from the Beach
Tropical Rarotonga. If you’re from New Zealand you probably already have a vision of this island paradise with its white sandy beaches, and water so crystal clear you have to wonder if it is there until a gentle wave brushes up against your toes. If you’re from North America, you may be about to discover …
Resort Life: A Big Contrast to Living in Samoa
While we had a great time at a resort in Samoa, staying there was completely different than experiencing the life people have when living in Samoa. Getting off the tourist path, we can better experience the culture when we travel. Leaving the resort a few times, we were able to meet locals, ask questions, and …
Samoa Highlights: Top 10 Things To Do In Samoa
A carefree tropical paradise in the southern Pacific Ocean, Samoa offered us an ideal mix of relaxation and adventure. There are plenty of things to do in Samoa despite it being less developed than some of its island neighbours. Actually, its the natural attractions in Samoa, along with the friendly Samoan people that make a visit …
Fresh Coconut Milk from the Tree of Life, the Coconut Palm
Coconut Palm trees are a Tree of Life on the Island nation of Samoa. Here in this tropical paradise, the grow everywhere. Fresh coconut milk, while a delicacy to me, is a common treat on the island. In Samoa, stayed at a Saletoga Sands Resort and Spa. Here they served fresh coconut milk directly from …
Jumping Into Vivid Turquoise Waters at To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa
Waterfalls and cliffs seem to taunt my girls, calling their name and daring them to jump off into the waters below. It doesn’t matter whether the waters are swirling at the base of a waterfall, crystal clear, or vivid turquoise – my family likes to jump. Hubby and I opted to stay back at the Saletoga …
Interesting ER Visit to a Hospital in Samoa
Emergency room visits are never fun. Our visit to a hospital in Samoa was no exception. Thankfully it was nothing serious. It started with an itchy bug bite on the back of our teen’s hand. After scratching it, the her hand swelled up to the point that it affected the movement in her fingers. A …
Hiking to Fuipisia Falls – A Hidden Gem in Samoa
Fuipisia Falls is a hidden gem on a private family’s land in Samoa. Not our family but rather a wonderful Samoan family who took us through the bush and across a creek to see the rushing waterfall despite the rainy day. This horsetail waterfall drops 56 metres (185 feet) into the Mulivaifagatola River. The pounding falls …
Relaxing in the South Pacific at Saletoga Sands, Samoa
Departing from our usual travel mode, we enjoyed a week long vacation in Samoa, a South Pacific tropical island paradise. We adapted easily to relaxation, pampering, and the resort life style at Saletoga Sands. It is a far cry from our usual do-it-yourself travels or a home exchange. Arriving close to 10 pm, we were instantly enveloped …
